How are applications assessed?
Consultation
People have a chance to express their views to planning applications. Public consultation includes site notices and letters to neighbours and parish councils. Not all applications submitted to us require public consultation.
Prior to commenting on a planning application please read our privacy notice.
To submit your comments online, you will need to register with the site by entering your contact details on online planning searches.
We encourage you to comment within 3 weeks of the date the application became valid. Please note that your comments will be added to the application file, made available for public enquiry and will be viewable on our website. We cannot treat your comments as confidential.
Once you have registered and made your comment, you can choose to receive an email to acknowledge this. Simply tick the box at the bottom of the online system before you submit.
By using the online planning system, you agree to the terms and conditions.
You should seriously consider the need to supply such information as part of any comments you make. An acknowledgment letter will not be sent for any comments received or notification of application decision. Officers can not engage in correspondence or site visits with neighbours or third party as part of the formal consultation.
We will also consult other organisations such as the Environment Agency, Natural England, and Historic England in order that other important considerations.
Many issues can be 'material considerations', but these should relate to the use and development of land. The planning system works in the public interest and matters that affect solely private interests are not usually material considerations in planning decisions. However, each application is considered on its merits.
Amendments
In response to the 16 week planning guarantee introduced on 6th December 2023, and the ongoing 26 week planning guarantee, when dealing with planning applications, reserved matters applications and permissions in principle, the submission of amended plans or additional information will not be accepted by the Borough Council, without an agreed extension of time first being in place. This is in order to allow sufficient time for the consideration and possible re-consultation of the amended proposals.
Without an agreed extension of time, the Council will determine the application as submitted at the time of validation, within the statutory time period where possible. You will be advised if determination of the submitted application is likely to go beyond the statutory time period with an explanation of the reason why, e.g. committee dates.
Decision-Making
Planning officers often decide smaller developments under delegated decision-taking powers. Larger and more controversial developments are often decided by our planning committee, the Regulatory Board .
The Regulatory Board meets at the Civic Centre about once a month, usually on a Wednesday at 7pm. If you are the applicant or agent or have made a written representation on a proposal, you have the right to speak at the Regulatory Board.
Register to speak at a Planning Meeting
You will need to register with us if you want to speak. You need to do this no later than midday on the working day before the meeting. For example, for a meeting on a Wednesday evening you must register to speak by midday on the Tuesday.
You can register by emailing committee.section@gravesham.gov.uk, by phoning 01474 337302, or by sending a letter to:
Committee & Electoral Services, Gravesham Borough Council, Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1AU
What happens next?
We make decisions on minor applications, including most householder cases, in up to 8 weeks. Major development, such as large housing or business sites, can take up to 13 weeks.
Once planning permission is granted, development should be started within three years. If work has not started by then, the applicant may need to reapply.
The National Planning Policy Framework emphasises the need for local planning authorities to approach decision-taking in a positive way, with a focus on supporting the delivery of sustainable development. We work with applicants to secure developments that improve the economic, social, and environmental conditions of our area.
The planning system is plan-led, and any planning application must be determined in line with the development plan (Local and neighbourhood plans) unless other material considerations indicate otherwise.
We can consider whether otherwise unacceptable development could be made acceptable through the use of conditions, or a planning obligation attached to a planning decision.